The Website for Aaron English and The Aaron English Band

News

I’m sitting here in Seattle as ash & smoke from wildfires fills the city: the American West’s massive summer wildfire season rages on. As I sit, I’m reading about Hurricanes Irma & Harvey, the escalating North Korea & Burma crises, the plight of the American immigrant 'Dreamers'...& I am reminded of the old saying (purported to be an ancient Chinese curse): “May you live in interesting times”.

Recorded in Italy during one my European tours earlier this year, the new song is meant to be a rallying cry for those who, amidst our present challenges, are ready to roll up their sleeves & get to work in building a safer, more just world for us all.

Thanks for following along on this musical journey! And thanks to those of you that have pledged to support the music via Patreon.com - your direct support is the reason I am able to make new art for you to enjoy! If you haven’t yet signed up to be a patron of my new music and videos, please click here to learn more.

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New Aaron English song & video just released: “My Dream (Lekna)”, a collaboration with Nairobi singer-songwriter Walter Koga:

Walter & I wrote this song on a nyatiti - an ancient East African lute - at an orphanage in the slums of Kisumu, Kenya. Then I took the song back to the U.S. to complete it. The song features me playing a variety of ‘junk’ percussion: brake drum “chimes”, driftwood marimbas, & the rusted metal frame of a derelict grand piano.

Watch the video here on YouTube or listen to the song here on Bandcamp.com…& enjoy!

Since my last song & video were released, I’ve been on tour, playing concerts from the boot of Italy to northern Scotland, from the swamps of South Carolina to the islands of the Puget Sound.

What’s ahead for the rest of 2017? In between making new songs & videos, I will be playing more tours of the U.S. & Europe. I’ll send you an email when I’m playing in your area (or you can check out all of the gigs I’m playing at http://aaronenglish.com/calendar).

See you again in a month when I release the next song & video!

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Just released: a new song & video collaboration with Kenya’s “master of nyatiti”, Walter Koga.The nyatiti is a lute-like instrument that has been played in Africa for thousands of years. Walter & I wrote this song while we were traveling together in Kenya.

Click here to listen/download on Bandcamp…& then click here to watch our video on YouTube!

“Afande” (“Policeman”) is a song about Kenyan country boys traveling to Nairobi & getting harassed by the police, who see their strange clothing & strange musical instruments & mark them for trouble.

As Walter explains it, it’s common for a Nairobi policeman to arrest first & ask questions later. To my mind, this is sort of a Nairobi version of Stevie Wonder’s NYC in “Living for the City”.

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Another new Aaron English Band song has arrived, complete with an animated video courtesy of Berlin-based 3D artist Christian Rambow.

The song "Wingless Bird" features The Aaron English Band, a string quartet, & an entire freaking choir. The video tells the story of 4 songbirds trapped in a cage & their quest for freedom.

Just released: a New Year’s song. It's a tribute to all those dearly departed in the past year & an anthem of hope for the future...written by George Michael, who died a week ago.

Happy 2017, everyone. Click here to watch the video on YouTube...& here to listen/buy the track on Bandcamp.

Thanks to Montana cellist & YouTube star Jesse Ahmann for coming to Seattle to collaborate on this track with me. And thanks to the supporters on my Patreon page who have made it possible for me to produce new music & videos for you in 2016 & beyond!

The latest news: the new Love To Love music school just opened in Kampala, Uganda, with funds & musical instruments donated by us. For youth that can’t afford to pay, music lessons are free. All income from students that can afford to pay will go to benefit Love to Love's orphanage, as well as their outreach programs for HIV/AIDS+ youth. Click here to learn more about my charity’s programs!

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The Aaron English Band's video for "Part-Time Superstar" - made in collaboration with theHappy Hipsbelly-dance troupe - was featured on CBS News KOIN TV Portland, OR's morning, noon & evening news program on 11/17/16. The feature includes interviews with the girls from Happy Hips. Click here or on the screen-captures to the left to watch!

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We’ve got a new Aaron English Band song for you: “Part-Time Superstar”! Check it out in the links above and below…and enjoy.

The video was made in collaboration with a Portland, Oregon based belly dance troupe of amazing girls who have Down Syndrome. They choreographed a dance to the song...and then we filmed it in a gorgeous historic theater (built in the 1870’s) near Portland. If you like belly dance, if you like cheering on brave young women…or if you just like watching me sweat under hot stage lights in a heavy wool suit, crooning into a microphone: check out this video!

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Thanks for following along on this musical journey! And thanks to those of you that have pledged to support the music via Patreon.com - your direct support is the reason I am able to make new art for you to enjoy!

If you haven’t yet signed up to be a patron of my new music and videos, please click here to learn more.

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Just released: the latest song & video! Just before I left on my current U.S. tour, we jumped into the studio & recorded this in 36 hours with piano, harp, bass, a wall of vocals and truckloads of massive drums.

The timing seemed right for a peace song. I started writing this the day after the shootings in Paris, then re-wrote the lyrics after the shootings in Orlando. Aside from my lyrics in English, I built the refrains around the traditional greeting of the Middle East, “Peace be upon you”, which I’m singing here in Arabic, Hebrew & Aramaic.

The gorgeous website for my non-profit is now live! International Youth Music Project, which I founded while in Africa last year, is supporting music programs at three orphanages in Kenya & Uganda. Have a look at what we're up to here.

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The new song & video is an Aaron English Band reinvention of the Bob Dylan song that Jimi Hendrix made famous: All Along the Watchtower!

Click here to watch, listen, enjoy. If you love it, you can buy it here on Bandcamp. Then please ‘Like’ the video & share it so that everybody else can have their minds blown!

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Making these songs & videos is my life. I spend 100 hours & $2,500 each month lovingly crafting a new song & video for you. Please pledge your monthly support on Patreon so that I can keep making art for you to enjoy! Click here to learn more & join my other patrons in keeping the music alive.

Your ongoing support is the only thing that makes it possible for me to keep creating this art. For this, you have my deepest gratitude!

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Welcome to the 2nd of 12 new videos I’m releasing in 2016. This is a live performance: all of the instruments & vocals you hear are performed by me in real-time into my loop pedal or vocal harmonizer. Then I "trigger" those various parts to accompany me as I play the song. The result of this elaborate process is a full-band sound, minus the band.

So, to honor the 40th anniversary (this week!) of the début gig of a now-legendary band called The Police, here’s my live-looping cover of a rare Police song called “I Don’t Think We Could Ever Be Friends”.

Great news: the non-profit org I founded last year just shipped this crate (filled with $50,000 worth of donated musical instruments & recording studio equipment) to my contacts in East Africa in support of music programs at 3 orphanages there. Thanks to everyone who has donated instruments or funds to this ongoing effort!

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Seattle-area gig alert: I’m playing the wonderful Words & Music series in Vaughn, WA on March 19, supported by cellist Jesse Ahmann. Last time I played a concert there, it sold out! For RSVP or more info, email <house-concerts@aaronenglish.com>

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Happy 2016! We're releasing a new song & video once a month this year. Welcome to January...& "Kothbiro", recorded in Seattle with The Aaron English Band & in Kisumu, Kenya with the nyatiti master Walter Koga.

Watch the video on YouTubehere ......& if you like what you hear & want to help us make more music & videos, buy the song on Bandcamphere

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Happy 2016! 2015 was a blast. Thanks to all who came out to a show last year...

The Aaron English Band has just been selected for Earbits Radio! It's kind of a big deal. Listen to us live & streaming on Earbits Free Online Radio ... & let us know what you think!

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Just released: a short video about my 2-month musical trip to Africa, where I helped orphanages in Uganda & Kenya set up music programs & recording studios. Click here to watch on YouTube.

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Last week I finished up 5 months of U.S. touring...in which I played over 100 shows. Thanks to all of you who came out to hear me play! Tour plans for 2016: Europe, the U.S., & back to Africa. Keep an eye on http://aaronenglish.com for details to come.

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I’m playing La Rive Gauche house concert series in Kirkland, WA on Nov 20th at 8 pm. Come on out, Seattle! For details & RSVP, send me an email.

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I'M HEADING TO AFRICA ON A "MUSICAL MISSION".

I will be spending April & May in East Africa, volunteering my time as a studio producer & songwriting teacher at two orphanages & three music schools for HIV+ youth in Kenya & Uganda. While I'm there, I also have plans to write & record some new songs of my own, make a music video, track silverback gorillas in the wild, sleep on the rim of an active volcano & raft the White Nile. Intrigued? Curious? You can follow my Africa journey via my Facebook or Twitter feed.

Want to get involved? These orphanages & schools have asked me to help them acquire new or used musical instruments, recording studio equipment, & music lesson books. I am collecting donations of musical instruments, every one of which will end up at one of these organizations, to be used by the kids there. I've received 25 instruments & a variety of studio gear already! If you have items you'd like to contribute, in any condition, please contact me to discuss further. Thanks!

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2015 SHOWS

In the Seattle area? My last concert before I fly to Africa is March 21, 7pm at the C&P in West Seattle. Come on down & wish me well, then stay for the music!

Elsewhere in the U.S.? I'll be touring the U.S. again June-October. New shows are being added daily to my Tour Calendar!

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ME & OFFICECONCERTS.COM IN THE NY TIMES

I've been chosen to be the West Coast launch artist forOfficeConcerts.com! This Thursday, March 12, I'll perform at Brown Paper Tickets' world HQ in Seattle. The New York Times will be there, as will Details Magazine, to report on my gig & the new 'office concert' concept.

NEW SONGS, NEW VIDEOS ARE ON THEIR WAY!

The Aaron English Band will be releasing a new single & video once a month, beginning November 10. Look for an email next month announcing the release of the first song!

To whet your appetite, we've posted a song from our live DVD. Click here to watch on YouTube!

THE LULLABY OF LONELINESS:

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THE LONG ROAD...

I just finished up 7 months of solo touring through 14 U.S. states. Back in Seattle at last, I'm focusing on writing, recording, & making videos with The Aaron English Band.

Catch me on the road again in the Spring of 2015...or in WA & OR this Fall/Winter! See my calendar for concert details.

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"WAY TOO HEAVY TO FLOAT"

The new album by alt-rock legend Walter Salas-Humara of The Silos* features a song he co-wrote & recorded with me.

Have a listen to our song "Way Too Heavy to Float"here, then check out the rest of the album Curve and Shake here!

* "Best New American Band", Rolling Stone Magazine's Critics' Poll

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JUNE & JULY 2014: THE ROCKY MTN TOUR

I'll be playing solo shows in the beautiful mountain towns of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah & Idaho in June & July...including a concert in a hand-carved sandstone cavern! For details check my tour calendar.

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GORGEOUS NEW FAN-MADE MUSIC VIDEO

A fan of mine in Italy produced this beautiful new video for a song, "Far Too Fast", that I co-wrote & licensed to several TV shows under the name Aaron English...but I never actually recorded it myself. Bluegrass legend Bruce Hoffman produced the song with a Nashville session singer & band. This Italian fan found it, liked it, & made a stunning video that you can check out here. The magic of the Internets, ladies & gentlemen!

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NEW FOX FILM FEATURES AARON ENGLISH SONG

Our song "Lion's Den" is in the new sci-fi feature film "E.T.X.R." Click here to watch the trailer. Then find E.T.X.R. on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes & other streaming services.

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MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES TOUR MAY 15-25

I'm about to embark on my Spring solo tour of the U.S. Midwest. If you live in any of the states highlighted below, I'll be playing in your neck of the woods. See the tour calendar for details!

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OPENING FOR SHANE ALEXANDER MAY 15-18

I'm touring as an opener for Shane Alexander the weekend of May 15-18 in four Great Lakes states. You're probably familiar with his music from the TV series Bones, Criminal Minds, One Tree Hill, Eddie Bauer commercials, or as an stadium-tour opener for the likes of Yes, Seal and Styx. Come on out if you can - I'm honored to share a bill with him!

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MARCH 1, SEATTLE: A ONE-OF-A-KIND AARON ENGLISH CONCERT

Aaron is playing the Hiawatha Arts Lofts Concert Series in Seattle on Saturday, March 1: Aaron on grand piano, a cellist and a violinist both flying into Seattle to play the show. The set will feature new songs from the forthcoming EP like Wingless Bird and the Adagio for Pots and Pans...and fan favorites Aaron's never played live before like Flower of Lebanon.

This concert series is legendary; the shows routinely sell out. If you're in or near Seattle, be there: 7:30 pm, March 1. RSVP to Lee at lsrdesigns @ yahoo.com

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NEW LIVE VIDEO: DEEP BLUE QUIET PLACES

Click here to watch the new live video, featuring Aaron on keys and vocals w/ guest Randy Neal on pedal steel guitar. Filmed by Seat of the Pants Productions at the Words & Music songwriter series here in Washington State.

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AARON ENGLISH SPRING-SUMMER U.S. TOUR 2014

The Spring and Summer solo touring schedule is filling up fast! If you live in the Midwestern U.S. or Rockies, come see Aaron English play live - or host a house concert to make sure he comes to your town! Click here to see his tour calendar - and check back often for updates.

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NEW AARON ENGLISH BAND E.P. UNDERWAY

The Aaron English Band travelled to Seattle on a snowy weekend in February to record basic tracks for five new songs in our beautiful brand-new recording studio. Mixing (and the production of new music videos) begins in March!

THE NEW STUDIO IS COMPLETE!...& A NEW ALBUM ON THE WAY

Production has started on the new Aaron English album: an EP, scheduled for release in February 2014. My Aaron English Band comrades have built a stunning new recording studio in Seattle (pictured below!), and this will be the first album recorded there. Bravo, Mark and Patrick, for building a beautiful space in which to make some great new music.

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NEW LIVE VIDEO: Anthem

Click on over to YouTube to watch the new live video for "Anthem", beautifully produced by Seat of the Pants Productions. Filmed live at the Words and Music concert series, 09/14/13. Vocals & keys: Aaron English. Pedal steel guitar: Randy Neal.

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NEW SINGLE: LION'S DEN

We just released a new track, "Lion's Den", an electronic collaboration between Aaron English and The Aaron English Band's Mark Fauver (aka Reprecode). Have a listen, get the mp3, or just stop by to look at the cool album art over on Bandcamp!

We're going into the studio June 1 to record a new EP & produce a series of new videos. Release date for the 1st song & video is July 1!

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BOOMBOX SEANCE: ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW!

If you haven't heard Boombox Séance yet, make haste over to iTunes, CDBaby, or Bandcamp & check it out: 9 tracks of ukulele electronica by Victoria Vox & Aaron English, produced by Geoff Stanfield (who also produced Aaron's album american [fever] dream).

If you're a fan of well-crafted pop, smart lyrics, tight vocal harmonies or dark sexy dance music, give us a listen. You won't be disappointed.

NEW ALBUM PRE-SALE & PLEDGEMUSIC CAMPAIGN ENDS JANUARY 20th!Our PledgeMusic campaign is 93% funded ...& we need to reach 100% by end-of-day Sunday, January 20th! Buy a pre-sale copy of the album, help cover our recording costs, & support Futures Without Violence all at the same time! http://www.pledgemusic.com/boomboxseanceLast chance to get a pre-sale copy of the NEW ALBUM before its worldwide release in March!

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CAROL OF THE BELLS

Happy holidays! I'm in the studio recording the debut Boombox Séance album with Victoria Vox. We recorded an electronica take on the holiday song "Carol of the Bells" and loved it so much we decided to release it on Bandcamp and Youtube. Click on the pic below to have a listen...and then keep your eyes peeled for the release of the Boombox Séance album in January!

PLEDGEMUSIC UPDATE

We are 48% of the way to our Pledge Music goal! We're pre-selling the debut Boombox Séance album. Have a listen to the new project here...and consider helping us to make the record by reserving your copy now: http://www.pledgemusic.com/boomboxseance

We're making the album available for pre-orders immediately by starting a PledgeMusic campaign to help cover recording costs. When you pre-order the album, you gain access to the exclusive "backstage" area where weʼll upload live tracks, photo and video diaries and rough mixes so you can be a part of the progress of the album from start to finish. A percentage of all pre-sale pledges goes to benefit Futures Without Violence.

We've also got exclusive thank-you packages for Pledgers such as Boombox Séance swag, a bike-ride with the band, even a chance to play ukulele on the album. Check it out...and thanks for your support!

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MEANWHILE...THE AARON ENGLISH BAND

The band's guitarist and music director, Patrick Strole, is nearly recovered from a back injury that has sidelined him from July through the end of November, 2012. We'll return with a new album, new videos and shows in 2013. Thanks for all the support and well-wishes on Patrick's long journey back!

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BOOMBOX SéANCE!

I'm proud to announce my new side-project: Boombox Séance, a collaboration with ukulele star and fellow singer-songwriter Victoria Vox of Baltimore, MD. We've been touring the project around the U.S. this summer. We've also posted four videosongs on Youtube. Have a look/listen here. We'll keep you posted re: plans to release a Boombox Séance album in 2013.

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END OF SUMMER, END OF U.S. TOUR

Happy Autumn! I'm back in Seattle after a summer of touring the U.S. I've been touring solo, while the Aaron English Band unexpectedly took the summer off: our guitarist / music director, the amazing Patrick Strole, developed severe back problems that culminated in emergency surgery. He is on the mend. Please send your hopes and healing thoughts in Patrick's direction!

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2nd PREVIEW OF THE NEW DVD

"SEA OF NECTAR" - FROM THE DVD

We've posted another preview song from the DVD on Youtube: "Sea of Nectar". Click HERE to watch. The new Aaron English Band DVD, "Animals Like Us", is available here in our NEW WEBSTORE

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AARON ENGLISH BAND T-SHIRTS ARE HERE

The most sought-after item since Cabbage Patch Kids. Limited sizes and designs available. On sale for only $15 in our NEW WEBSTORE

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TOP 5 IN ITALY

Lastly, but not leastly: did you know that our interpretation of the Beatles' classic "Norwegian Wood" was in the Italian Top 40 radio charts for 20 weeks, peaking at #4? It's true.

Here's us rubbing elbows with the likes of The Black Keys and Red Hot Chili Peppers:

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JUNE 7-10: STEEL BRIDGE SONGFEST

I'm headed to Sturgeon Bay, WI, for the 9th annual Steel Bridge Songfest, where I will write, record and perform June 7-10 with legendary American songsters such as Freedy Johnston & Jane Wiedlin. If you're in MI or WI, come to the festival! Tickets available at sbsf5.com!

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MAY 5: RITES OF SPRING FESTIVAL

The Aaron English Band is playing at the 9th annual Rites of Spring Festival in Gettysburg, PA on Saturday, May 5. If you're in the area, come hear us and cheer us! Apparently a few tickets are still available at rosfest.com.____________________________________________________________

A PREVIEW OF THE NEW DVD

"LIKE SMOKE" - FROM THE DVD

The new AE Band DVD will be released in July! We've posted a preview song from the DVD on Youtube: "Like Smoke". Click HERE to watch.If you like it, please "Like" it, share it, leave a comment. Thanks!